Furnace apparatus.



w. w. 000mm; FURNACE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 31. I914- Patented Feb. 13, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

MQ mw k w RJ W. W. DOOLITTLE.

FURNACE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 31. 1914.

1,21,09Q. Patented Feb.13,1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ja /7,2 52". WM r W. W. DOOLITTLE.

FURNACE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR-31, 1914.

Patented Feb. 13; 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

srairns WILLIAM W; DOOLIT'ILE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO CRANE COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. A. CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

FURNACE APPARATUS.

Specification. of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 113, ieir.

. Application filed March 31, 1914. Serial No. 828,496.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM W. Do0Lrr- TLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Furnace Apparatus, ofwhich the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to improvements in crucible furnace apparatus; and has reference more particularly to the provision of a novel construction of crucible furnace comprising upper and lower separable sections normally adapted to be associated together about the crucible during the melting of the metal, wherein the lower furnace section which constitutes the crucible container is designed to be removed from its base for transfer with the crucible to a pouring position on the molding floor of the plant. In the practice of my invention I aim to further provide certain adjacently positioned .means arranged and adapted for use in connection with the furnace, comprising a hoist device for removing the upper furnace section and a transferring and pouring device for the crucible container section; together with a. furnace seating member disposed preferably intermediate the charging platform and molding floor, which is turnable to bring a number of the said furnaces one after the other into relation with the said devices.

It is customary in this art to lift the cru oible with its molten contents bodily out of the furnace by lifting tongs or like .devices, whereupon the crucible itself, or an intermediary ladle, is transferred to a pouring position on the molding floor. This procedure consequently has resulted in certain disadvantages, namely: that a considerable proportion of the heat is lost, notonly during the transfer of whatever receptacle is used but also during the pouring operation; and that continued use of the lifting tongs inflicts more or less physical damage to the crucible. The primary object of my invention is to positively and effectually overcome these disadvantages by transferring contact of removing devices with a frangible crucible to the lower furnace section in 'hich the crucible seats. It will be obvious that the section is not only inherently capable of withstanding harder usage than my invention, I attain by means of a the crucible, but also that it serves to re tain the heat in the metal at all times up to the completion of the pouring operation, and further eliminates the necessity for using intermediary ladle appliances.

Another object of my invention is to construct the section in such a manner that the crucible may be brought close up to and in.

of my invention is to position said means intermediate the charging platform and molding floor, whereby an economy of floor space is eifected and easier handling of the furnaces obtained since the furnaces may be grouped in a more compact manner than has heretofore been possible. And in general it is my purpose to provide an arrangement of cooperating devices adapted for use in connection with the furnace, which together act to facilitate and simplify the entire operation ranging from its inception at the charging platform to the completion of the pouring operation at the molding floor.

These, together with such other objects as may'hereinafter appear, or are incident to con struction illustrated in preferred form in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus embodying a preferred form of my invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Y

Fig. 4 is an enlarged central vertical section taken through the turntable and furnaces;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of Fig. l, and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of one of the furnaces;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of the stop mechanism provided for locking the turntable.

Figs. 7 and 8 represent an enlarged front elevation and a top plan. view respectively f the removing and pouring device H indicated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the same, and

Fig. 10. represents a vertical central section through Fig. 9.

By a reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 it will be seen that A indicates the foundry floor, B the charging platform, C a pit intermediate thereof in which is mounted a turntable D carrying a plurality of sectional furnaces E which are removably seated on base portions 5 of the turntable platform 6, and F is a crucible adapted to be positioned in each of the furnaces.

Disposed immediately over one of the bases 5, is a suitable air hoist G which may have at its lower end a grab hook member 10 guided in ways 11. By this hoisting device, the upper section 8 of a furnace may be lifted a suitable distance vertically so that when the turntable D is given a quarter turn, as in the present case where I have illustrated the use of four furnaces, the raised upper section 8 willthen clear the top of an adjacent furnace in such a manner as to permit its lower section 9 to be brought into register with the adjacent hoist conveyer H, when the latter is moved laterally along its overhead track 12 to its inner position where it engages the lower section, and which when moved to retracted position transfers both the lower sectionand its crucible to any desired point 011 the foundry floor A. where the pouring operation is to be carried out.

The relation of the devices G and H to each other and to adjacent turntable bases is perhaps best indicated in a general way in Fig. 3, where the overhead track 12 of the device H is preferably positioned ra dially of the turntable and of that base which is in register therewith, and the frame of the air hoist G- is suitably suspended to centrally overhang the next adjacent base, which arrangement is intended to insure accuracy in the operation of removing and replacing the furnace sections. A preferred form of hoist conveyer H is clearly shown in Figs. 7 to 10 inclusive and as therein disclosed is particularly adapted for bringing the lower section and its crucible to a pouring position on the molding floor and for pouring out the molten contents of the crucible without removing the latter from the said furnace section.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 7 to 10 inclusive, it will be seen that the bail 28 of the device H is suspended for lateral and axial movement from the track 12 by the wheeled hanger 30 and rod 31. and is capable of adjustment in a vertical direction through suitable interposed lifting mechanism illustrated in conventional form at 82 (Fig. 1). The numeral 34- indicates an arcuate band provided at one side with a seg mental annular gear 85 and having hubs 33 received in bearings 33, which are formed at the ends .of the depending arms of the bail 28. .Meshing-with the gear 35 is a pinion 36 carried on a spindle 37 which is journaled in an extended bearing member 37 mounted in that arm of the bail adjacent the gear. The spindle 37 is provided with an operating wheel 38, actuation of which operates the gearing to tilt the band on its axis relatively of the bail. The hubs are provided with recessed portions 39 which are adapted to receive the lugs 29 of the lower furnace seetion 9, and in order to hold: the section against movement relative the retaining band 34 when the latter is tipped, a sliding hook 40 on the band engages the rear face of the section in the manner shown.

For the purpose of holding the crucible F in a fixed relative position duringipouring, I provide what .might be termed a cope i1 which seats on the section and surrounds the upper portion of the crucible, and which has a cut away portion adjacent the crucible lip and an aperture formed in its rear upper portion. A retaining member 42 removably carried by the furnace section extends upwardly to have its terminal project into the aperture to securely hold the cope and cruci ble in place. The front faces of furnace section and cope are beveled as in the manner shown so that the crucible lip may be brought into close pouring relation with the gate of the mold. The numeral 43 indicates an additional.handhold pivotally mounted on the bail, which, when not in use by the-operator may be moved upwardly and out of the way.

It will be obvious from the above description, that the entire ar 'angement is productive of effectiveness and economy in opera tion, and by practically inclosing the crucible in its lower furnace section and cope certain beneficial results are attained, which include among others the retention of heat in the metal so that the pouring operation is of a continuous character, and the operators are consequently able to get in closer to the work in hand, together with the resultant of added longevity given the crucible since handling of the same is positively eliminated. This is an important feature of my invention, and it will be obvious that the furnace section and its crucible may also be transferred to the holding floor from any suitable base, and that while I have shown a preferred form of tilting device, other similar operating devices coming within the scope of the appended claims may be used without sacrificing any of the benefits attained by my invention.

Another feature of my invention is the turntable D positioned intermediate the charging platform and molding floor, which is adapted to bring the furnaces into register with the devices G and H, and is also constructed to provide an avenue for the blast to the furnaces. With this in view, I provide the platform (3, which in this case has four bases or furnace seating portions 5 suitably spaced away from each other as shown and disposed radially of the platform axis. This platform is provided with a hollow depend ing spindle 13 which has a step bearing at it in a stationary sleeve or pedestal 15 which surrounds and incloses the spindle 13 throughout its length and further provides a bearing at 13 for the latter adjacent its juncture with the platform. Both spindle and sleeve are located centrally of the pit C and extend through the pit floor, the sleeve having an annular flange or floor plate 15 intermediate its ends by means of which it is supported on the floor of the pit.

As previously indicated, each of the furnaces E comprises upper and lower open ended sections 8 and 9 respectively, the upper section reinovably fitting upon the lower section, and provided with a cap at 8 at its open end and an outlet 8 formed in its side wall. The base 5 upon which is seated the lower section 9, has an opening 5 substantially corresponding with the lower open end of the said section, thus providing communication between the furnace and the chamber or ash pit 7, which latter is comprised within the depending side wall 17 formed integral with the base, and the door 18 hingedly mounted on the side wall and normally held closed by the catch device 18*.

Extending in a vertical direction from the central portion 6 of the platform 6, and preferably leading to a suitable header or stack, is a flue K having a stationary upper portion 19 flanged at 19 to form a bearing for the lower portion 20 of the flue, which is suitably mounted on the said central portion 6 to turn with the platform. This lower flue portion 20 is provided adjacent its closed end 20 with side ports 20 which normally coincide with the several furnace outlets 8 The means by which anair blast is supplied to the furnaces will now be described. It will be noted in Fig. 4 that the outer sleeve 15 is provided with an inlet member or blast opening 21 adapted for attachment to a suitable source of air supply, as a blast main, said inlet communicating with the revoluble hollow spindle 13 through the ports 21 which are formed in its wall. The spindle in turn leads into a central wind box 22 having branch pipe connections 23 with the radial chambers 7 which in turn communicate with the furnaces. These air connections, or elbows, 23, are provided with cocks 16 for shutting off or regulating the supply of air fed to the furnaces, which tothe inner side walls of the lower chambers 7 7 together with the lateral side wall extension 13, are all integrally formed and connected together to define the wind box above re ferred to, whose lower wall 13 is mounted on the upper flanged portion of the spindle just above the bearing 13 Means are also provided to impart rotary movement to the platform and as shown comprises the mechanism shown in Fig. 4-, which includes an annular gear fast on the lower flue section 20, the pinion being mounted on a suitable spindle 25*- having a bearing in an arm 26 depending from the stationary flue section 19. I have shown two sets of gearing, one operable from the foundry floor and the other from the charging platform, so that during the charging operation the furnaces may also be turned from that side of the turntable.

The turntable D not only serves to bring the furnaces into register with the furnace removing devices but also effects a great economy in the use of floor-space. This last feature will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since it permits the furnaces to be positioned in two compact rows between the charging platform and molding floor where previously one row was possible, and at the same time permitting ready access to any furnace from either side of the pit.

In order to correctly position and lock the turntable during the operation of removing the furnace sections, I also provide a stop mechanism also operable from either the molding floor or the charging platform. This stop mechanism, which is shown in Figs. 3, l, 5 and 6, preferably comprises a suitably supported laterally extending shaft 44 disposed to one'side of the turntable, and having a segmental gear as fast thereon, and a pawl bracket L6 Whose depending arms provide a bearing for the pawl 47, which lat ter is adapted to be received in a slot formed in the beveled face of the stop member a8 secured to the outer face of each turntable base 5. The shaft of the pawl l? has at its outer end a segmental gear 47* in mesh with the gear a5, and the pawl is normally held to project into the path of the stop member 48 by the weight 49 operating through the shaft and gearing. It will be apparent that as one of the bases is being moved into register with the removing device G, the pawl 47 is forced back against the weight by the beveled stop whose slot 48 then receives the pawl, which automatically locks the turntable in correct position. To release the pawl, trips 50 and 50" actuated by foot pressure are provided, whereupon the turntable is given further rotary movement so that the was released base is brought into register with the device II as the succeeding base is automatically locked by the stop mechanism.

From the above description the essential features, elements and operation of the apparatus, together with its simplicity and other advantages thereof will be Cit-3t rly apparent to those skilled in the art.

I do not intend to restrict myself to the exact details of construction, nor to the pie cise arrangement of the various parts as shown, for it will be obvious that variations may be made therefrom without in any way departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Ilaving thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is the following 1. In an lP2\1t1ttlS of the character described; the combination of a crucible; and a tiltable sectional container device therefor comprising a base member in which the crucible is seated, and a top member (le tachably associated with the upper surface of said base member and provided with an open top through which the pouring spout of the crucible extends, the device having its pouring front face beveled or inclined in a direction toward the pouring spout of the crucible, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a tiltaole pouring container, a crucible located therein to have its upper portion extend upwardly beyond the top edge of the container, and means for retaining the crucible in position during the pouring operation comprising a crucible retaining member positioned on the top edge of the container in operative relation with the said upwardly extending portion of the crucible, said member being open at the top and through which opening the lip of the crucible projects, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. In furnace apparatus, the combination with a crucible, of a pouring containertherefor, and a retaining member mounted on the container and having a beveled face inclining in a direction toward the lip of the crucible.

a. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a crucible, of a sectional furnace therefor comprising a tiltable lower section in which the crucible is positioned and a removable upper cover section seated on the lower section during the heating of the crucible, said lower secation, said retaining member having a pouring opening located above the inclined pouring face of the said lower section and below the lip of the crucible.

The combination with a crucible, of a tiltable pouring container therefor having an iinvardly inclined front face terminating below the top edge of the crucible, and a cope member adapted to seat on the container about the upper portion of the crucible and provided with an inclined face passing below the lip of the crucible and forming an extension of the inclined face of the container.

43. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a crucible con tainer, a pouring device therefor consisting of a suspended member and a relatively tiltable member, retaining means for the crucible comprising a cope member detachably seated on the container, and a positive connection between the cope member and the tiitable member.

7. A furnace apparatus comprising in combination, a movable furnace supporting device, a lifting device ad acent thereto, a plurality of crucibles, plurality of movable furnace members for the said supporting device adapted to house said crucibles, said supporting device being movable to suecessively bring the furnace members into operative relation with the lifting device whereby the crucibles may be exposed, and a conduit formed in said movable supporting device for supplying a blast to the furnaces for the heating operation.

8. The combination with a crucible, of a sectional furnace therefor comprising a tilt able lower section constituting a pouring container for the crucible and in which the crucible seats, and an upper section normally seated on the lowersection and removable therefrom, the line of separation bet-ween the sections being appreciably below the top line of the crucible, said lower section having a beveled outer face inclining upwardly and inwardly toward the said line of separation.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, apouring device comprising a sus pended bail and an arcuate band pivotally carried in the depending arms of said bail, and means to tilt the band relative the bail consisting of an annular gear fast with the band, and a. manually operated spindle journaled in the bail and having a pinion meshing with the said gear.

10. In combination, a furnace section having a crucible therein and provided with abutments, a base for said section, a combined conveying and pouring device comprising an overhead track having its inner terminal disposed above said base and its outer terminal extending to the molding floor, a bail suspended for travel from said track, and a tiltable member trunnioned in said bail and adapted to engage the abutments of the furnace section to remove it and the crucible from the said base to a pouring position on the molding floor,means for actuating the tiltable member, and means for retaining the furnace and crucible in place during the pouring operation.

11. In combination with a crucible, of a tiltable pouring container therefor comprising a furnace section having an inclined front face terminating below the top edge of the crucible, and a cope member adapted to seat on the container adjacently of the crucible and similarly provided with an inclined face forming an extension of the inclined face of the container, and a locking member eo-acting with the cope member to retain the crucible in position in the container.

12. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a plurality of furnaces, of a rotary furnace seating platform having a centrally located wind box, connections between the wind box and the furnaces, a stationary supporting member forthe platform provided with a blast inlet, and a movable tubular member constituting a connection between the blast inlet and the wind box, said tubular member having bearings in said supporting member and its wall formed with a port in register with the blast inlet.

13. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a turntable platform having a blast inlet, a plurality of furnaces on said platform, each provided with an inlet and an outlet opening, a connection between the blast inlet and the furnace inlets, a flue mounted on the platform and connected with the furnace outlets, and

means mounted on the flue for imparting turning movement to the turntable.

14. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a furnace supporting member having a platform and a blast inlet, a removable furnace unit on said furnace supporting member having an inlet and an outlet opening, a wind box in said platform communicating with the furnace inlet, a flue having a port formed in its wall in register with said furnace outlet, and a blast conduit leading from the blast inlet through the wind box to the inlet opening of said furnace.

15. In combination, a blast turntable having base portions located to one side of its axis, a plurality of sectional crucible furnaces removably seated on said base portions and each comprising an upper and a lower section, means for lifting the upper section from its lower section, and means for removing the lower section from its seat, said means being located adjacently to each other and to the turntable, the latter being said means.

16. in combination, a plurality of sectional crucible furnaces comprising upper and lower sections, a blast receiving turn table disposed adjacent the molding floor and upon which the furnaces are removably seated, a device for vertically lifting an upper furnace section, a device for laterally removing its lower section and contained crucible from the turntable to a pouring position on the molding floor, said turntable being capable of turning movement whereby to bring the furnaces in turn to register with the said devices.

17. In combination, a turntable mounted for rotary movement adjacent the molding floor having radial base portions and provided with a blast inlet, a plurality of sectional furnaces comprising upper and lower furnace sections, said furnaces being adapted to removably seat on the turntable base portions and to receive their blast from the blast inlet, a crucible seated in each of the lower sections, relatively fixed means overhanging the turntable for lifting an upper section as it is brought into register therewith, laterally movable means capable of re moving the lower section for bringing the same and the crucible to a pouring position on the molding floor, and means for imparting turning movement to the turntable whereby the furnaces are successively brought into register with the said means, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

18. In combination, a blast turntable device having peripheral base portions, a plurality of sectional crucible furnaces removably seated on said base portions, each of said furnaces comprising upper and lower sections, means for successively lifting an upper section from its lower section into clearance and for removing the lower section and crucible from the turntable base to a pouring position, said means being capable of replacing the section, and means for actuating the turntable whereby other furnaces are brought into register with the said means.

19. In combination, a .rotary turntable provided with base portions located at intervals and radially of its axis, furnace members removable from the said base portions, removing means therefor disposed adjacent the turntable, and a stop mechanism constructed and arranged to have a locking engagement with the turntable whereby to hold the base in register with the said removing means.

20. In combination with furnace members and a removing device therefor, of a rotary turntable provided with furnace member seating portions located radially of u its axis, means for imparting turning movement to the turntable, and automatic stop mechanism constructed and arranged for locking relation with the turntable whereby a furnace member is brought to positively register witih the said removing device on actuation of the said means.

21. In combination with a rotary turntable, of an automatic stop mechanism therefor comprising a shaft, a slotted stop member on the turntable having a. beveled outer face, and a pawl having operative relation with said shaft and normally held to yieldingly project into the path of the stop menr her, all so arranged that as the turntable rotates a predetermined distance the beveled face of the stop member forces the pawl out of its normal position to lock with the slot, and means for disengaging'the pawl.

22 A furnace apparatus comprising in combination a substantially horizontally movable supporting device, a transferring device adjacent thereto, a plurality of furnaces on said supporting device comprising a housing member and a crucible supporting member relatively movable with respect to each other, a crucible in each furnace, said supporting device being movable to bring the furnaces successively into operative relation with the transferring device whereby the cruciblesupporting members together with the crucibles may be moved to a pouring position, and means for supplying a blast to the furnaces for the heating operation.

23. A furnace apparatus comprising in combination a rotary turntable, a shifting device adjacent thereto, a plurality of crucibles, a plurality of furnaces each having a separable crucible-supporting portion, said turntable being rotated to bring the furnaces successively into position adjacent to the shifting device whereby to remove the crucible with its supporting portion for subsequent pouring operations, and means for supplying a blast for the heating operation.

Q l. A device of the class described comprising in combination a heating furnace composed of two relatively readily separable portions, one a crucible-housing member, and the other a cruciblesupporting member, a crucible carried by said crucible supporting member, means for removing one of said portions whereby to expose the crucible for subsequent pouring, and means for supplying a blast to the furnace when the partsare assembled in operative relation for heatin 25. A device of the class described comprisingv in combination a heating furnace composed of two relatively readily separable portions, one a crucible supporting and surrounding. member adapted to act as a shielding container during pouring, and the other a superimposed member to shield the crucible during the heating operation, a crucible in said crucible supporting member, means for moving one of said members whereby to expose the crucible for subsequent pouring, and means for supplying a; blast to the furnace when the parts are assembled in operative relation for heating.

96.1 1 furnace comprising separable up- 7 per and lower furnace sections having tubular side walls constructed when assembled to provide intermediately thereof a combustion chamber, and a crucible. for said chamher, the. line of separation between the sections extending mediately of said chamber and belowthe lip. of the crucible and adjacent walled portions of said sections wholly surrounding the uppervportion of the said crucible, said upper section seated on the lower section during the heating operation and removable -therefrom to uncover. the upper portion of the crucible for the pouring operation.

27. furnace .ofthe character described comprising separate upper and lower vertically walled furnace sections constructec and arranged to provide atubular combustion'chamber,intermediate the walls of the sections when assembled forgthe heating operation, a crucible supported in the lower section, adjacent walled portions of said sectionsv on eachzside oft-he line of separation between the sections wholly surround ing the upper portion of the crucible, the line of separation being located. substan tiallyin a horizontal plane mediately of said chamber and below the lip of the crucible, said upper section adapted to seat on the lower section and removabletherefrom in thepouring, operation to uncover the upper portion of the crucible, .and closure means for the upper section.

In testimony whereof I haveherennto signed my name inthe presence of the two subscribed witnesses.

WILLIAM W. :DOOLITTLE. lVitnesses J. H, COLLIER, J; H. VVRATH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

